PhD Position in Organic
Electrosynthesis – Heterogeneous
Catalyst under Real-Time Monitoring

Would you like to contribute to the energy transition in Germany through your work?
Then the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (for Renewable Energy) (HI ERN) is
the right place for you! The HI ERN forms the core of the close partnership between
Forschungszentrum Jülich, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy, and
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg at the Erlangen site. The
collaboration relates to the areas of innovative materials and processes for
photovoltaic energy systems and hydrogen as a storage and carrier medium for
CO2-neutral energy. Support us researching and developing solutions for the
climate-neutral, sustainable, and cost-effective utilization of renewable energies. For
more information on HI ERN and its main research areas, please visit
https://www.hi-ern.de/en

Your Job:

You will be part of the Electrocatalysis research department (https://www.hi-ern.de/hi-ern/Electrocatalysis), which research area is to investigate
fundamental relationships between electrolyte-electrode interface structure and
selectivity or efficiency of chemical outcome during the preparation of complex and
value-added compounds directly from the readily available feedstock. Organic synthesis
under electrochemical conditions is a powerful tool for future sustainable chemical
manufacturing, for which a robust catalytic materials are of high demand. A unique
platform for online real-time analysis of electrochemical processes, developed in the
Department of Electrocatalysis, will be applied by you to discover and develop novel

• Organic Electrosynthetic Protocols. Your tasks in detail:
• Design, synthesis, and characterization of catalytic materials
• Utilization of the obtained materials as electrocatalysts
• Validation of online and offline analytical methods
• Analysis of the activity, selectivity, and stability of electrocatalysts
• Communication of the obtained experimental data
• Writing papers and presenting the results at conferences
• Representing the institute in project meetings and collaboration with partners within HI ERN and outside

Your Profile:

• Very good master‘s degree in Chemistry, Organic chemistry, or a relevant discipline
• Experience in basic electrochemical methods
• Desirable knowledge of Material science
• Very good organizational skills, ability to show initiative and work independently
• Excellent cooperation and communication skills and ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent skills in spoken and written English
• Strong motivation for pursuing a PhD degree within three years in an ambitious but
rewarding multidisciplinary project related to the investigation of electrode-electrolyte
interfaces

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the
chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to
complete your doctoral degree:

• A lively scientific environment within the institute and possibilities for cooperation with excellent partners at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, the Forschungszentrum Jülich, and numerous partners in Germany and abroad
• Sound, high-quality research at the international level and daily, hands-on experience in worldwide-unique electrochemical characterization techniques
• Active participation in project meetings, as well as at national and international conferences to present the results and to develop further competences
• Interaction and cooperation with world-leading industrial partners and strong support and mentoring for setting up a future career in science and/or the industry
• A comprehensive further training program
• Flexible working hours and various opportunities to reconcile work and private life
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the
Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a
monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“) (≈ 40.000 EUR).

Place of employment: Erlangen

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age,
gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A
diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone
can realize their potential is important to us.